About this interview
In this 2009 interview with Ryan Minic of Ryan’s Rock Show, Andy Williams of Every Time I Die holds nothing back about the chaotic realities of touring, band drama, and his frustrations with the modern music industry.
Andy recalls one of the craziest tour stories, where a band party resulted in a 20-year relationship ending when a wife got wasted and things spiraled out of control in front of her husband. He also opens up about a terrifying moment on tour when the band’s merch guy developed a severe staph infection, ignored it for too long, and flatlined for 32 seconds before being revived.
The conversation shifts to the recording process with longtime producer Steve Evetts, highlighting how working with a producer who truly understands the band makes all the difference. He discusses the difficult decision to stick with Evetts instead of switching producers and emphasizes how Every Time I Die refuses to compromise their sound for the sake of industry trends.
A major topic of the interview is the departure of longtime drummer Ratboy, which Andy describes as a heartbreaking situation fueled by personal insecurities and outside influence. He expresses frustration over how things went down, how it affected the band dynamic, and how miscommunication over an inside joke spiraled into an irreparable fallout. While he respects Ratboy’s contributions—especially his drumming on the record—he doesn’t hold back on his anger toward how the situation was handled.
Andy also rants about the state of modern rock music, calling out bands that rely on autotune, pre-recorded tracks, and image-based marketing rather than musicianship. He compares the current scene to the glam metal era before Nirvana came in and wiped the slate clean, saying he hopes Every Time I Die can be that band to shake things up. He criticizes record labels and booking agents for micromanaging bands’ images, sharing how he’s heard of bands being told to straighten their hair or dress a certain way to fit industry trends.
Ending on a nostalgic note, Andy praises bands that keep the spirit of real musicianship alive, like Converge, Dillinger Escape Plan, and Fugazi, and shares his love for discovering music organically rather than being spoon-fed trends by the industry.